We hit Connecticut in full force last week. OMG...we had such a great time!!!!! It took them a whopping 30 seconds to re-acquaint and begin their fun. With Club Penguin, building forts out of blankets and cushions and raiding Cathy's "snack drawer" the whole bunch of them had fun. The highlights were many, but we got to eat at Friendly's Ice Cream. We went to KB Toys across the parking lot where all the boys (including Jamie) went insane playing basketball. Benny found a cute little Baby Grand Piano with a microphone. It's an electric keyboard with all the sound attachments Cathy and I just had to buy it and he entertained us all week singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star at the top of his lungs. He LOVES HIS PIANO!!!! I have video to follow. We had lunch with Josh at school on Monday and got to buy books at the school's book fair. That was fun! We went out on the walking trail on Tuesday night. All the boys, minus Ben, took a dip in the freezing water of the Farmington River accompanied by Mika the Dog. I thought the kids were going to stop breathing the water was SO cold!! But they stuck it out and were true men...had shrinkage...but were manly men anyway!! We attending a display of the kid's art at Noah Wallace and had a family picnic. Sam made the coolest fairy house EVER with a snowman in the yard. It was awesome!! Joshy made a beautiful glittered picture of the Kremlin in Moscow. Our boys are so talented. We also got to attend the school's Field Day. Cathy and I spent 3 hours face painting in the courtyard. Sorry Liz, but those kids in CT are Red Sox fans through and through as witnessed by the number of them with big red "B"s on their cheeks!! Another highlight was our trip to see Mark Twain's home in Hartford. Everyone, adults included, LOVED that one. It had been a long time since I had been there. I do so love going to Connecticut to see Cathie and her family. It makes me realize just how much I miss those boys in my heart. Next week, I'm off to Chris and Liz's to spend some time with them, Miss Hannah and Little Man Austin. More to follow when I return. Love you. Karen
What a treat it always is to go see Liz and Chris at their home in Annapolis, Maryland. I usually have a conference in Washington DC once per year, so I always try to hang with them for a few days before duty calls. This year was no different. I got to spend Father's Day with them. We had a wonderful, laid back weekend full of laughs and good memories. Lunch at the Amish Market is always fun. A huge treat this time was a visit to the National Arboretum in Washington DC...which I gotta say is one of this nation's best kept secrets. What an amazing display of gorgeous trees and plants (some I'd never seen, like the one above). If nothing else, it was a beautiful exhibit of what Chris and I have decided to aspire to for our own gardens! What was most amazing was just how much my handsome nephew has grown since I saw him in November. He's become an independent thinking, happy little guy who's brain is always on the go!! Sadly, I had to leave before his 2nd birthday party, but I know there is no shortage of loving friends and family on board to wish him a very happy one. Thanks Liz and Chris for letting me stay and have a great, relaxing weekend. I love you guys!!! Karen
